From Ideas to Impact: Apollo Accelerator Cohort 4
Fostering Rapid Space Innovation
As space capabilities evolve for global nations, a critical component of protecting our national security and enabling our military involves harnessing technological advantages. To answer this need, the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) developed the SDA (Space Domain Awareness) TAP (Tools, Applications & Processing) Lab to accelerate the delivery of space battle management software to operational units. Specifically, the SDA TAP Lab’s Apollo Accelerator initiative brings together companies, academics, and industry experts to research, develop, and innovate emerging technologies that will equip Guardians in the space domain. Since Millennial Software has been selected for the Apollo Accelerator’s Cohort 3 and Cohort 4, we have experienced unmatched collaboration that has led to strong partnerships with industry, academia, and government agencies. By developing real-time tools to monitor and manage space assets effectively, we all strive to facilitate faster information sharing and analysis for strategic decision-making. This level of speed to cultivate cutting-edge technology enables adaptability that is essential for responding to new challenges in the dynamic space environment.
Collaborating to Strengthen Space Domain Awareness
The last three months for Cohort 4 have flown by and our team has gotten the opportunity to work with many notable individuals and organizations. This cohort, we focused on progressing our Target Model Database (TMDB) and Coplanar Launch Predictor. To refine our TMDB, Millennial Software partnered with Quasar Satellite Technologies, Data Fusion & Neural Networks, Planetary Systems AI, and SPACEMAP. For our Coplanar Launch Predictor, we collaborated with Kayhan Space, Booz Allen Hamilton, and InTrack Radar Technologies. As we all know too well in the industry, the technical and operational challenges that exist in space are complex and often nuanced, requiring a range of expertise. This means that collaboration is imperative. By enabling rapid knowledge exchange and encouraging cross-disciplinary breakthroughs from concept to execution, we have produced invaluable insights as a community. The ability to collaborate among industry peers and partners has been a rewarding highlight of our experience as part of the Apollo Accelerator. Together, we are able to break down kill chains, collaborate with operators to prioritize requirements, align those needs with technologies, and integrate new solutions into existing platforms swiftly.
Optimizing Space Mission Success
A space mission is like a complex puzzle where every piece must fit together seamlessly to ensure success. Behind every such mission is a team of hard-working engineers putting all of the pieces of the puzzle together. As a dedicated team, we are proud to contribute to the mission. To serve Cohort 4, one of the key components needed was a TMDB that can serve as a centralized repository for cataloging the key attributes of all space objects. Essentially, the database allows analysts and operational units to access up-to-date information promptly. As a shared resource, the database improves situational awareness for monitoring potential threats, avoiding collisions, and tracking objects of interest. Driven by open-source information aggregation as well as ad-hoc providers for data enrichment, Millennial Software’s TMDB enables users to classify satellites into various categories. In more detail, this facilitates tracking, analysis, and the development of behavior and signature models to identify indicators of camouflage, concealment, deception, and maneuver (CCDM). Designed for precision, security, and scalability, our TMDB can enhance capabilities for new object identification and assessment. With the completion of Cohort 4, we successfully onboarded a dozen new datasets, which included datasets from other Cohort 4 members who wrote their unique mission data directly into the TMDB. Our team also provided downstream consumer data that will enable engagement zone calculations in support of course of action decision support.
Additionally, our team expanded into launch prediction and co-orbital anti-satellite determination screening. Using Millennial Software’s Coplanar Launch Predictor, we are able to provide potential launch intervals that are used to query weather information and determine if conditions are favorable for a launch. This information can then be used to create a launch nominal–a predicted orbit state based on a successful launch–that can be used in tasking, acquisition and predictive screening prior to the launch actually occurring. Use cases for our Coplanar Launch Predictor include predicting the time and direction of launch to match target inclination and Right Ascension of the Ascending Node (RAAN) before a launch, leveraging observed launch time and direction to identify targets at highest risk immediately after a launch, and employing nominal and/or ELSET 1 to screen co-orbital Anti-Satellite (ASAT) threat. Our Coplanar Launch Predictor is vital to ensuring precise mission planning for deploying assets into orbit. By predicting the most favorable launch windows, significant strategic and operational advantages such as fuel efficiency, faster deployment, enhanced coordination, and reduced launch risk can be gained.
Sharing Knowledge and Inspiration
Beyond all the amazing development and coordination going on within the SDA TAP Lab, we have also had the chance to attend expert talks from Bob Morris, Felix Hoots, Dr. Marcus Holzinger, Jack Anthony and Dr. Moriba Jah. These important scientists, engineers, and industry pioneers have shared their insights, experiences, and breakthroughs, creating an inspiring knowledge exchange for our cohort members. Discussing the gaps faced in space missions and hearing about the innovative solutions from industry leaders has given way to new ideas and perspectives that our team has found inspiring. The knowledge, expertise and passion for the space domain is motivating, and we remain steadfast alongside our peers in pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Continuing Our Work
We would be remiss not to mention Major Sean Allen, who played an integral role in paving the way for Millennial Software’s work. Participating in the Apollo Accelerator’s Cohort 4 has been a remarkable learning experience that has shaped our approach to space solutions. Our company has been able to collaborate with a multifaceted group of individuals and organizations, all propelled by a shared vision for innovation. Engaging with fellow cohort members allowed us to tackle problem-solving together, fostering an agile environment for solutioning. Meanwhile, the opportunity to hear expert talks inspired us to push harder. The highlight of our experience in Cohort 4 was the opportunity to demonstrate our work and see the progress made by other cohort members. The journey ahead is filled with opportunities and we are excited to continue our work in Cohort 5 with the goal of amplifying the impact of our solutions for the space community.